Awards Day

We are so thankful for our children. It's so fun to watch them grow and develop. To see the talents God has given them, to see what they're interested in. It's amazing how different each child can be from the next. It's just fun stuff.

Today was Awards Day at Roe's school. We were so thankful he's had such a great year. Roe is a very conscientious student. He made all A's all year on his report card. He also was chosen from his class by his teacher to receive the "Avid Reader Award." Roe loves to read. We're thankful for this as well. In his class he won the "Good Manners" award. Curt and I joke that Roe has always been more like an English butler than a little boy. He's always had good manners and is somewhat appalled at his younger brother who is ALL BOY... i.e.he thinks burping is hilarious)

Wow, this post sounds like I'm bragging on my eldest, but it's really just coming from a heart of gratitude towards the Lord and His grace. Roe was a TERRIBLY DIFFICULT CHILD TO RAISE DURING THE TODDLER YEARS. If I had a blog back then, people would seriously be worried about me, and with good reason. Roe is strong willed and that makes for very trying pre-school years b/c he's still trying to figure things out. I remember a friend, who had a 2nd grader at the time who was the sweetest child you could have met tell me that she went through the same thing and for me just to wait. I honestly didn't believe her at the time, but oh my goodness I'm so thankful for Roe and everything about him. His strong willed nature makes him an individual, who loves others and doesn't care what people think. He is a good leader and I'm so thankful that we didn't leave him on the side of the road when he screamed for 6 hours during a road trip when he was Sophie's age. (It was a thought we had.) So, Congratulations Roe Hale for being a remarkable child. We think the world of you. We are humbled that God thought we could raise you. We are grateful for everyday we have with you. Love you Ro-Ro.

Sophie was very sleepy

Waiting for the ceremony to begin

Curt was very attentive

These two weren't too thrilled about getting pulled out of bed at 7:30a.m. Summer has already begun.

Roe's sweet teacher Mrs. Hopkins

Roe and his friend Henry, who also got all A's and student of the year. Way to go Henry.

Roe and assistant teacher Mrs. Jungers

The family---Sophie's face is behind Roe's head.

Roe and his certificates

Roe and his bud Stanley

Roe's 2nd Claymation

Roe loves doing claymation. Saturday, he made all new claymation characters and made a new movie. He created, placed, moved everything, and wrote the story. He and Curt edited it together. I actually posted one version on Facebook, but after Roe watched it about 30 times and went back and watched his first one, he decided it needed to be faster. So, they made some changes and this was the final product. Great job Roe. It's fun to see him so excited about something.

Growing Kids and Plants

I've spent the last week crying my eyes out, so I didn't have much time to blog. Why am I crying you ask? Because Abram is officially done with preschool. This has been very emotional for me. I can't really explain it. He's my 2nd child, so I've had a child finish preschool before. But each time a child finishes a sweet phase of life I just have trouble letting go. So, seriously, I've been mourning the finishing of pre-school. I've also been denying summer is coming b/c at the end of summer Abram will start kindergarten at the elementary school. Some of you reading this may not understand. Can't say I fully understand, but the emotions were strong.
I'm doing better this week. I've been praying that God would change my perspective. I've been trying to focus on each day that we have and not focus on what's changing. I'd like to give a shout out to my ever patient husband, who is not extremely sentimental and must at times think I'm coo-coo. He bears with me lovingly, and I'm thankful for him. Here's what's been happening.

Abram graduating. Of course, when we got there I realized the batteries in my camera were dead. Thankfully, I was able to take a few with my phone.

Me and Abram

Abram and his teacher Ms. Laura

Abram chose to go to Newk's for his graduation celebration. Sophie enjoyed lunch.

My Mother's Day Gifts. Roe made me a bag at school It says "Happy Mother's Day" on one side and "I love you. You are special." on the other. Abram painted this flower pot with his finger prints. We put an unusual red cactus in it. (Hopefully, I can keep it alive.) Abram began telling me months ago about this gift. This is how the conversation went.

Abram: Mom, I made you something.

Me: You did?

Abram: Yes, it's for Mother's Day and I'm not telling you what it is.

Me: Ok

Abram: It's hard and I painted it, but I'm not going to tell you what it is.

Me: OK

Abram: It holds a plant, but I'm not going to tell you what it is.

One new development is that Abram wanted to learn to make his own pb&j sandwich. This is him making it. Not sure what's going on with his t-shirt...very 1983 off the shoulder.

A rare moment: I caught these two being still on the couch. Sweet.

Last week, Abram wore his tie to school without me knowing it.

Curt planted me a raised garden for Mother's Day. I've ALWAYS wanted a raised garden. I'm so excited. My dad saw it this weekend and said I need to water it more and could use some more dirt. We're on it. I can't actually tell which is the picture taken last week and which is the picture I took today....guess that means it hasn't grown a whole lot.

We do have an older son. Sorry Roe...didn't really make it in this post. He only has 4 days of school left and he's trying to finish out strong, so we didn't take him out to see Abram graduate. Roe doesn't like missing school much. We are so blessed. Love our babies.